Latest news with #ER24
The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Update: More details emerge on fatal shooting near White River Rugby Club
The White River community in Mpumalanga is reeling after a tragic shooting outside White River Rugby Club in the early hours this morning. Lowvelder reports that police are continuing their investigation into the shooting, which resulted in the death of Pieter Burger (21) and left two others, Arno van Niekerk and Marco Schalekamp, critically injured. According to multiple trusted sources, the incident reportedly stemmed from an altercation between Van Niekerk and Schalekamp, prompting Burger to intervene. The situation escalated near the main road (Danie Joubert), where gunfire erupted. While the exact circumstances remain unclear as there are various versions of what transpired, Lowvelder is in the process of gathering the facts. Emergency responders of ER24 and Emer-G-Med attended the scene. ER24 paramedic Kim Habib confirmed that Burger was declared dead on arrival, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds. ER24 transported Van Niekerk to Rob Ferreira Hospital, stabilising him on scene and en route. He sustained gunshot wounds to the abdomen, chest, back, left shoulder and the left side of his head. Emer-G-Med's Martin Jeffrey confirmed that Schalekamp was also transported to Rob Ferreira Hospital in a critical condition. He suffered gunshot wounds to both cheeks, with the bullet entering one side and exiting the other, impacting his cheekbone, as well as injuries to his shoulders and neck. He was later transferred to Mediclinic Nelspruit for further treatment. The first responder, Willem Burger of ACS Spartan, described finding Van Niekerk injured near a utility vehicle. According to Jeffrey, Schalekamp was seated in his vehicle, bleeding heavily. ACS Spartan's John Meintjes reported that his young son and dog were inside the vehicle but were unharmed. A family friend later arrived to take the child and pet to safety. Meintjes also described an intense moment when Burger's father arrived at the scene, visibly distraught. Authorities have recovered firearms and several spent cartridges, which will form part of the investigation. Tributes for Burger are already pouring in, with the White River Rugby Club describing him as 'a true dynamite, a warrior through and through'. The club expressed deep sorrow over the loss of 'one of their own' and extended condolences to his family and loved ones. In honour of his memory, a gathering has been planned at the White River Rugby Club tonight at 17:30, where friends, family and members of the community will come together to celebrate Burger's life. Lowvelder attempted to reach out to Burger's family but was unable to make contact. Investigations remain ongoing, and the police urge anyone with information to come forward. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
08-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
George building collapse: 5 days under the rubble
Gabriel Guambe's rescue five days after the George building collapse on May 6 last year was a miracle. George Herald reports that extricating him from the depths of the ruins after the operation had been declared a recovery operation on day four – meaning the likelihood of finding survivors had passed and the focus had shifted from saving lives to bringing closure – was a massive consolation for rescue workers. 'Gabriel was one of the lucky ones. One thing we've learnt in our job is that when it's your time, it's your time. It wasn't Gabriel's time,' says Alister Louis of ER24. The 32-year-old tiler from Shoshanguve outside Pretoria was on the third floor when he looked up and saw the roof coming down. He tried to outrun the falling mass of concrete and steel, but the floor disappeared and he fell. Struck on the head by a deluge of bricks, Guambe says his makarapa (hard hat) saved his life. He describes the experience as pure horror. 'I don't want to think about it,' he says, but pauses to remember one of the deceased, George Khoza, a close friend from Mozambique who was tiling in another room when the building caved in. For 118 agonising hours, Guambe remained trapped in a chamber below a massive slab of concrete, surrounded by darkness, cold and dust. Blocking out the anguish of a broken hip, hunger, thirst, the indignity of having to urinate in his pants and lying in it for five days, as well as the fear that he was going to die, Guambe remained focused on getting out. As time dragged on, the chorus of desperation emanating from survivors calling for help petered out – one by one, they fell silent. He was the only remaining survivor. 'I prayed a lot and God heard me,' he says. Dehydrated and drifting in and out of consciousness, after five days, Guambe suddenly noticed a sliver of light. Again, he called for help. This time, a response came. 'Hi, you in there! What is your name?' a rescue worker asked. 'My name is Gabriel,' he answered. In the meantime, the search and rescue dogs had also picked up Guambe's scent and had started scratching, sparking hope in the rescue teams. The workers leapt into action, drilling a small hole through the concrete slab and inserting a camera. Once they had assessed his situation, they used a jackhammer to chip away at the slab. Soon, Guambe was pulled from the ruins – alive. The ordeal left Guambe a changed man. He had always prayed, but during those five days, his connection with his faith deepened. He believes his survival was not mere coincidence – God had heard him. Now, he prays more fervently and finds solace in reading his Bible. Looking back, Guambe wishes he had never come to George. 'When the case is over, I want to go back to my friends and family in Pretoria. They have been supporting me throughout with calls and messages,' he says. Although he's worked in construction since 2018, Guambe never wants to set foot on a construction site again. He plans to start a business when he gets paid out. In the meantime, he suffers from back pain and survives on piece jobs. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
08-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
George building collapse: 5 five days under the rubble
Gabriel Guambe's rescue five days after the George building collapse on May 6 last year was a miracle. George Herald reports that extricating him from the depths of the ruins after the operation had been declared a recovery operation on day four – meaning the likelihood of finding survivors had passed and the focus had shifted from saving lives to bringing closure – was a massive consolation for rescue workers. 'Gabriel was one of the lucky ones. One thing we've learnt in our job is that when it's your time, it's your time. It wasn't Gabriel's time,' says Alister Louis of ER24. The 32-year-old tiler from Shoshanguve outside Pretoria was on the third floor when he looked up and saw the roof coming down. He tried to outrun the falling mass of concrete and steel, but the floor disappeared and he fell. Struck on the head by a deluge of bricks, Guambe says his makarapa (hard hat) saved his life. He describes the experience as pure horror. 'I don't want to think about it,' he says, but pauses to remember one of the deceased, George Khoza, a close friend from Mozambique who was tiling in another room when the building caved in. For 118 agonising hours, Guambe remained trapped in a chamber below a massive slab of concrete, surrounded by darkness, cold and dust. Blocking out the anguish of a broken hip, hunger, thirst, the indignity of having to urinate in his pants and lying in it for five days, as well as the fear that he was going to die, Guambe remained focused on getting out. As time dragged on, the chorus of desperation emanating from survivors calling for help petered out – one by one, they fell silent. He was the only remaining survivor. 'I prayed a lot and God heard me,' he says. Dehydrated and drifting in and out of consciousness, after five days, Guambe suddenly noticed a sliver of light. Again, he called for help. This time, a response came. 'Hi, you in there! What is your name?' a rescue worker asked. 'My name is Gabriel,' he answered. In the meantime, the search and rescue dogs had also picked up Guambe's scent and had started scratching, sparking hope in the rescue teams. The workers leapt into action, drilling a small hole through the concrete slab and inserting a camera. Once they had assessed his situation, they used a jackhammer to chip away at the slab. Soon, Guambe was pulled from the ruins – alive. The ordeal left Guambe a changed man. He had always prayed, but during those five days, his connection with his faith deepened. He believes his survival was not mere coincidence – God had heard him. Now, he prays more fervently and finds solace in reading his Bible. Looking back, Guambe wishes he had never come to George. 'When the case is over, I want to go back to my friends and family in Pretoria. They have been supporting me throughout with calls and messages,' he says. Although he's worked in construction since 2018, Guambe never wants to set foot on a construction site again. He plans to start a business when he gets paid out. In the meantime, he suffers from back pain and survives on piece jobs. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
30-04-2025
- The Citizen
Prominent businessman gunned down in Meyerton
Police are on the hunt for gunmen following the brutal murder of prominent businessman Ali Arshad (46), the owner of Ali Hardware in Meyerton. Sedibeng Ster reports that Arshad was a staunch member of the ANC. He was shot and killed on Saturday. It's alleged that Arshad was shot multiple times outside his business premises. Police spokesperson Constable Nompulelelo Zazini reports that police responded to a complaint about a shooting. On arrival at the scene, officers were approached by bystanders who pointed them to the lifeless body of a male lying on the ground. The victim was declared deceased by ER24. Zazini says the motive of the murder is not known and that no arrests have been made. 'A murder case docket has been launched for investigation.' Police urge anyone with information to contact 082 333 0520. You can also report crime anonymously by calling 08600 10111 or 10111. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Popular DJ passes away in accident just outside Carletonville
Popular DJ passes away in accident just outside Carletonville A popular DJ from Fochville passed away in the only fatal accident reported in our area over the past Easter long weekend. The accident took place on Monday night at approximately 22:57. The deceased, Mandla Nelson Ncibi (39), was driving with his white BMW 320i toward Carletonville on the R500 from Fochville. Ncibi lost control of his vehicle on the last downhill on the way to the four-way crossing at the 007 shopping complex. Although he tried to brake, the vehicle overturned and ended up on the side of the road. Paramedics from ER24 arrived at the scene shortly after the accident, but unfortunately, Ncibi had already passed away. According to a relative, Ncibi originally came from Mohlakeng at Randfontein. He did, however, later move to Fochville. Ncibi was known for being a popular DJ at various events in the area. He also managed various big music events. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
